THREE knives were confiscated from children hours before gangs from rival schools met for an arranged fight, police said yesterday.

The weapons were found on pupils from Carmel RC Technology College and Branksome Comprehensive School, both in Darlington, last Thursday and Friday.

A lock knife was seized on Thursday, and a pen knife and a Leatherman multi-tool knife were found on Friday.

Later that night, police in the town dispersed gangs of pupils from both schools, who had arranged a fight in Sugar Hill Park.

Both schools are investigating and two Branksome pupils have been suspended.

Howard Gilfillan, headteacher of Branksome, said knives in school would not be tolerated.

"This is a very serious matter, and the fact they were found on school premises is a very serious matter indeed.

"We liaise very closely with the police, and although this is the first time this has happened here, pupils must understand the value of respect for themselves and others."

James O'Neill, Carmel headteacher, said the school was uncompromising over knives or offensive weapons.

"This is a severe breach of discipline. Pupils know full well that knives of any description are totally forbidden," he said.

"We are totally unequivocal in our attitude towards that, and take a very strong line on this in terms of school discipline."

Police could not say whether pupils planned to use the knives in the fight.

Sergeant Andy Gore, of Durham Police, said: "This is very worrying for school staff, as well as for pupils and police officers," he said.

"Staff or police may be called to deal with what is perceived as just a disturbance among pupils, but these people could be armed."

Sgt Gore said carrying knives for self-defence or leisure were not excuses.

"One of the pupils who was caught with a knife said he was going to use it to build a tree house.

"As innocent as that might be, they should not be carried, and should not be on school premises."